Former Leeds United executive’s detention in Dubai police cell extended

David Haigh, the former managing director of Leeds United, says he may have been lured to Dubai by 'subterfuge'.
Photograph: Rob Munro/Getty Images

David Haigh believes he could be the victim of “forgeries” and “underhand” tactics after being accused of serious financial mismanagement by Leeds United’s previous majority owners, Gulf Finance House Capital.

The club’s former managing director has been held in a Dubai police station cell since mid-May and could remain in jail until 23 June after his period of detention was extended by 15 days on Monday by a judge.

Documents from the Dubai International Financial Centre revealed last week that GFHC, a subsidiary of the investment bank Gulf Finance House, accuse Haigh of financial mismanagement to the value of $5m (£3m), claiming he fabricated at least 55 invoices to secure payments to five different bank accounts.

The 36-year-old, who held the position of managing director at Leeds until April, has not been charged with a criminal offence and denies all the allegations against him, saying he may have been lured to Dubai through “subterfuge”.

A statement said: “David is now being held in custody for a fourth week since his arrest. During that time no criminal charges have been brought against him, despite various allegations made publicly by GFH.

“At the same time, GFH has publicly filed a civil claim against David which he is fully defending through his team of international lawyers. He and they believe that this claim amounts to no more than a commercial dispute.

“From the documentation he has seen, David is clear that many of the signatures purporting to be his may be forgeries. He is also aware that, during the period in question, others had access to his emails and that it would have been inconceivable for the expenditure of the sort of sums of money set out in the GFH claim to have been signed off without the express knowledge of other senior people at GFH.

“David is preparing a counterclaim against GFH for monies owed to him and which are in excess of the amount of the claim made against him by GFH.”

Haigh played a key role in GFHC’s takeover of Leeds from Ken Bates in December 2012 and also introduced Massimo Cellino, the present owner, to the club. Haigh had been in line to become chief executive under Cellino before the pair’s relationship broke down.

Haigh’s consortium Sport Capital issued a winding-up petition against the club for a loan of £950,000 and on Monday in the high court the case was adjourned until Tuesday. Leeds are contesting the petition.

Leeds were in severe financial difficulty before Cellino’s takeover, the club losing approximately £1m a month. Since then the Italian businessman has undergone a series of cost-cutting exercises at Elland Road and is expected to appoint a new manager this week following the departure of Brian McDermott.

Haigh’s statement continued: “Although he is deeply frustrated at being held in custody for this length of time without charge, David has no quarrel with the Dubai authorities.

“Despite the disadvantage at which he has been put, David will continue to defend himself against all allegations and claims made against him in what he believes is an attempt to silence and discredit him.”

GFH Capital said in a statement: “GFH Capital understands that a file has been passed to the public prosecutor in Dubai and that a judge recently ordered that Mr Haigh continue to be detained until 23 June.

“GFH Capital does not consider it appropriate to comment on vague and unparticularised allegations made in press announcements which Mr Haigh has not to date attempted to detail or substantiate. GFH Capital does however categorically deny that it or its lawyers have behaved in any way inappropriately.”